The Policy Process: American Health Care System

With the current proposal in increase of the United States Government Debt Ceiling and reduction in government spending being preferred, the costs of medical care have also been on the increase. Healthcare among other government spending targets like the social security, face a possible reduction (Jonas, Goldsteen & Goldsteen, 2007). This action would instantly translate to an increase in restrictions to the resident population that would qualify and actually access quality healthcare. The individual has to either have insurance to get good quality medical care or resort to dependence on Emergency Room services. Emergency room congestions have been on the increase since the population of the American population without Medical Insurance cover keeps increasing due to increase in unemployment rate. The other factor determining health Insurance cover is the individuals’ wealth and not so many citizens can be termed as so. In simpler terms it directly increases the medical costs a citizen has to pay in order to be accorded proper healthcare with majority of the population left out except some selected groups like the military, federal employees, the aged and the disabled. This paper seeks to address the Health Care Costs and Spending by targeting the American Healthcare system in terms of Medical Insurance cover increase to cover 100% of the population.

The formulation phase

The American Healthcare system has been in existence for far much longer than many countries’ healthcare systems like Israel, Germany and United Kingdom among others, but it is deemed to be less humane (Mahler, 2004). Take example of Israel whereby Insurance is made available for every resident and the government has fully adopted the Single Public Payer Health Care system because it tends to self regulate the cost of medical insurance cover. Single Public Payer Health care system entails the act of the government in which it collects fees and regulates healthcare rates before settling any healthcare payment for the patients who are its citizen (Shi & Singh, 2011). In this case, the liability is totally lifted from the patient or their personal health insurance provider. This system also ensures less paperwork while saving time for the medical practitioners since they do not bear the burden of verification of insurance cover and documentation. The Israel health Care System is more comprehensive in terms of; insurance coverage, equal medical attention given to residents, more accessible Health Care and the efficiency level of both administration and care provision to all citizens. I believe if this suggestion is taken into consideration, the general costs and spending in Healthcare will reduce considerably for both the government and the individual citizen. The new policy needs to put in place measures that will foresee the primary cover of health to all the American citizens. This will be contrary to the current cover where only theelderly, those living below the poverty line, military and federal employees are considered. The provision of 100% health care cover to the entire population will ensure efficient and flexible in taking care of as many citizens as possible thus reducing the overall health costs to the citizens.

The implementation phase

The Health Care Costs and Spending policy that targets the American Healthcare system will focus on the development of modern programs that will broaden the financing options in the American healthcare sector. The Primary Health Care System will put in place a comprehensive structure in terms of insurance coverage, equal medical attention and more accessible health Care and efficiency at all levels (administration & Care provision) to all the citizens of America. Proper Initiatives of tackling cases of wrong medication, early diagnosis of ailments and other health complications is the main focus of the policy. Setting up of more communal clinics and other health care centers to facilitate accessibility to people at all levels across the country. The American government through the health sector will put in place a commission that will facilitate the collection of tax for health care cover on the employees. It will also top up the funds collected from the national budget. The process of collecting funds from the citizens will reduce the liability that patients and health insurance providers undergo while seeking treatment (Barker, 1996). No one will think of medical bills as long as they are up to date with their healthcare contributions.

The senate should provide adequate amount of time that will enhance the implementation process of the Health Care Costs and Spending policy. The health care policy schedule needs much time as it involves technical issues that must be fully analyzed by the decision-makers. The policy-makers need to acquire more training on handling health sector financing issues. It will create a better understanding on the health related issues that will facilitate the appraisal option and enhance effective utilization of consultants. The consultation process will aid in setting up of terms of reference on the health policy that will facilitate the healthcare policy making by the policy-makers in US of America.

Evaluation phase

During evaluation, we are supposed to come up with tangible measures of level of success that any interested party can rely on to come up with a conclusive opinion on the trends towards achievement of our preferred policy. The first measure should be an increase in the number of nurses and medical physicians because an increase in the healthcare activities should naturally create a demand for engagement of more medical personnel especially in primary Healthcare. An increase in the number of primary healthcare personnel should equally be reflect by an increase in the number of the population of American residents that have access to medical insurance cover. The figures which should be recorded by statistical data from insurance records should be matched to the adult population that currently qualifies to be medically covered. It is a known fact basing on previous evaluation that one seventh of the adult population is not medically covered hence a good measure should be based on a consistent reduction of this figure. Furthermore, there should be an evident co-existence between the public and private health unit indicated by random healthcare provision to any qualified citizen since there will be a single Primary Health Care System for medical settlement despite which medical provider was approached (Barker, 1996).

Recommendation

The government, the public institutions and privately owned institutions within the healthcare fraternity should both make an effort and come up with a joint and fulltime Policy generating and evaluation unit that will be able to continuously analyze the state of affairs within the healthcare environment. This should especially focus on National Health Insurance procedures and designs. This national body should consequently be given autonomy of making minor adjustments at least prior to governmental debates which give national authorization to arising issues especially in emergency situations. It has become very important for constant sharing and exchange of progressive practices in the medical field in the current world health care system. This is mostly encouraged by the effects of globalization and constant interaction of both citizens and health care experts from all over the world (Jonas, Goldsteen & Goldsteen, 2007). Every country seems to be keen on adopting lessons from other countries in particular fields of interest that are more efficient and flexible in taking care of as many citizens as possible. Such is a case of comparison between the United States Health Care systems that has been in existence far longer than the 16 year old Israel Health Care System (Mahler, 2004). It is true to state that due to early development and research, the United States Health Care system is supposed to be way forward than the Israel one and that Israel should be borrowing a lot from it. This however is not entirely true because the Israel health Care System is more comprehensive in terms of; insurance coverage, equal medical attention given to residents, more accessible Health Care and the efficiency level of both administration and care provision to all citizens. Therefore, if an independent body is set up to constantly make such comparisons America might miss out on practical comparisons that would save the government on a lot of research work. This will also reflect on more timely decision making.

In conclusion, I think America should move from a seemingly money minded medical insurance system to the more Humane healthcare insurance system like the one employed in Israel. This system will simply give the residents all the indication that their health is the most important factor in the process thus there is no motivation in voluntary contribution like one where the citizens and residents feel treasured. They will almost do anything to support a system that values their health and will therefore be flexible to any ideas that will ensure consistent supply of medical cover and healthcare. These will ensure that people will contribute the much they can to support the system in an almost equitable level whereby the rich will not feel pain of giving more out of personal satisfaction. This means that everyone will still get equal treatment in spite of their financial worth.